Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,233,159	$ 1,041,551	$ 819,165
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	484,727	419,937	350,239
Selling and administrative expenses	429,489	384,752	337,294
Severance and restructuring costs	1,589	2,029	16,396
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments	1,811		243,043
Total operating costs and expenses	917,616	806,718	946,972
Operating profit (loss)	315,543	234,833	(127,807)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,069)	(6,263)	(7,771)
Interest and investment income	569	819	492
Other - net	3,518	1,930	7,895
Total other income (expense)	(982)	(3,514)	616
Income (loss) before income taxes	314,561	231,319	(127,191)
Income tax provision:
Current	91,481	36,441	28,809
Deferred	716	26,830	4,055
Total income tax expense	92,197	63,271	32,864
Net income (loss)	$ 222,364	$ 168,048	$ (160,055)
Average common shares	67,616	67,610	67,129
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock and deferred stock-based compensation	809	832
Average common shares and common share equivalents	68,425	68,442	67,129
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 3.29	$ 2.49	$ (2.38)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 3.25	$ 2.46	$ (2.38)
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 0.36875